The 'Build Your Own' Organizer Clutch!

Since I have this awesome deal for the rest of the month of May, and May's almost halfway over.. I've decided to implement an option that will add a lot more variety and inventory to my Etsy shop. If it's successful I might just keep it going from here on out.

You will now have access to see clutches before they are made and choose your own! The reason I have build your own in quotations is that most of the clutch is already decided for you as they are cut already and folded up. A lot of times, since the organizer clutches are currently all one-of-a-kind, the fabric left over from cutting clutches out is minimal. This means unless I have extra fabric of the one you choose, you will pretty much have to go with it like it is. However, I will do modifications of a different fabric for a fee of $10 (materials/time).

You do always have the option to customize the front of the clutch for no extra fee:

Normally I have a band across the front of my organizer clutches with a covered button either in the middle, or on the right or left side of the clutch.

 

Sometimes, depending upon the clutch, I will just do a decorative stitch over the front of the clutch itself or decorative stitches on the band on the front of the clutch.

 

 

I really like the band on the clutch below. It allows you to see the beauty of the floral print featured. This one was repurposed from a vintage curtain! I still have more of this one if you're in love with it like I am.

 

 

 

If you're looking for more of a formal or fancy clutch, options like this are available:

 

 

So, now you've seen some clutches that I've made in the past and have an idea of the range of customization possible for the 'build your own' clutch. If you'd like to see more, check out and 'like' my Facebook page Adholley for even more pictures. I am also very open to your ideas if you'd like to do something totally different with the band across the front of the clutch.

When you order your 'build your own' clutch on Etsy, you will see an option for variations. This is where you will choose your customization on your clutch.

 

I'll have two customizations, one for the band across the front.

 

Your options will be Fabric 1, Fabric 2, No Band, or Different Band.

 

In the Etsy listing you will be shown which is Fabric 1 and which is Fabric 2. Fabric 1 means the picture which has a clutch folded up and a strip of fabric placed across the front. Fabric 1 is always guaranteed because I've already cut it to size and am 100% sure I have enough fabric. Fabric 2 means that you could essentially reverse the way the fabrics are shown. You could have the lining as the outside of the clutch and a band made of what was originally the outside of the band. Some times this is possible and sometimes it is not. I will let you know when you select Fabric 2 if it is indeed an option. I apologize in advance if it's not possible, but I like to assure (for now) that these organizer clutches are one-of-a-kind and sometimes that means I grabbed a teeny tiny scrap somewhere of a unique fabric that is not available for order. I will do my best to help you find the combination of fabrics that you like the best.

 

If you choose No Band and would like something else instead, please either send me a conversation on Etsy, an email at adholleyhandbags@gmail.com or leave it in the notes when you purchase your clutch. The same goes for if you choose the Different Band option. I will need to know what you would like to have instead of the fabrics listed in your Etsy listing.

 

Your second customization is to have the covered button on the left, middle, or right side of the band. Simple. We can do a different fabric covered button if you choose, but I will need to know what you would prefer instead.

Here are just a few that will be appearing very shortly!

 

 

 

 

 

This is going to dramatically add to my inventory in my shop, and while these are currently listed in the made to order section, they may not stay there long! I will be periodically pulling from these clutches to make finished products for shows, Etsy listings, and just because they fabrics look pretty to me and I feel like sewing them up. Even if you cannot buy currently, check back every so often to see the progression from made to order clutches to finish products.

 

So there you have it, your option to buy clutches before they are even made! It's like a surprise you have a little control over. Believe me, it's really fun seeing the fabrics and then seeing a finished project. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

 

Is there anything you'd like to customize on your organizer clutch that I did not list? Comment below and let me know for future reference.

 

Happy shopping,

 

Amanda

 

 

 

Musings on Purses, Part 1

"A handbag is fashion's cherry on the sundae." -Hagerty, Handbags

I was loaned a book called Handbags very early on in this handbag making adventure. It goes through the history of handbags, featuring vintage bags by various designers and various owners of these classic designs. It also touches on the psychology of the handbag, which if you've never thought about it, is quite fascinating. Hagerty likens the handbag to a womb in one chapter using comparisons of secrecy, privacy, and individuality. It's an interesting read, if you're interested in that kind of thing.

Maybe for some women, they could care less about the origin of the handbag they're wearing, be it handmade and custom designed (so easy to acquire nowadays with sites like Etsy and the internet availability of custom ordering) or picked up at Walmart. It seems as though a lot of women care more about the specific style of the purse than anything. I've set up a booth selling my purses SO many times and I've heard every preference out there. Some women need something small; only able to fit the essentials- keys, phone, money/cards, maybe a tube of chapstick. Some women need a big purse to throw several smaller bags into; each smaller one organized to hold different things- makeup, a small bag to carry into a store to shop, baby essentials, etc. Some women are so specific that they need a certain number of dividers and zippered pockets and a certain type of handle, or the option to throw over their shoulder or carry two smaller handles.

From the viewpoint of a handbag maker, WOW. If you specialize in a certain type of handbag, as I do, you're bound to hear that you should make this type of purse or use this type of organization inside a purse. Or use this type of handle and this type of fabric. One day I'd love to have my version of all of these handbags, because I'm a woman who loves them all. Some days I feel like carrying a small clutch, but others I feel like I need a briefcase, or maybe another I feel like a grocery tote is acceptable (one handmade by myself, at least.)

Anyway, after all that background...

I figured after I switched purses the other day to an amazing thrift store find I bought years ago and have yet to carry, I'd write a post (or maybe more!) about my psychology behind the purses I like to carry.

Starting with this one.

I think this might have cost me $2, seriously. What's so fabulous about this purse are the details. It was made in Italy. It's a pretty color, it has three sections- two of which close with snaps and one closes by a zipper. It also has two zippered inside pockets. These are things that, nowadays, you're only going to get out of a handmade or high quality designer bag. Walmart? No. Way. This purse has a change purse attached by a gold chain! AND AN ATTACHED MIRROR. ON THE INSIDE. See, these are the things I fall for in a purse. I want to be organized, I want a unique identity, I want hidden treasures.

I'm drawn to purses like these, mainly because when I was a little girl my mom bought or had a lot of vintage (now considered vintage, and maybe even vintage then) purses that my sister and I used to play dress up. I was always obsessed with these purses. The closures, the materials, the pockets... Just take a look at these pictures and you'll understand.

 

See the signature tag? Love. Purses with signatures get me every time. Partly because I've implemented my signature into my clutches and I love the special touch it gives my clutches. Even if it was factory made, signatures are just plain cool.

 

 



Occasionally, with these thrift store finds, you might even luck up and find used cigarettes, half a piece of chewing gum and some interestingly named matches. What we carry in our purse sure does say a lot about us, or does it? ..

 

Anyway, there's the first of my musings on a little bit of the psychology of purses from a handbag maker's point of view.

 

Bored to tears? I hope not. What type of details in a purse catch your attention? Comment below or email me and tell me, especially if it's about a clutch!



 

Mother's Day Special

Good Monday morning to all,

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m going to run a promotion through the rest of May beginning today! So, everyone, listen up!

I’m going to offer all of my organizer clutches, both in my Etsy shop and custom orders, for $55 and I’m going to allow one bonus to each clutch order.

 

1. You can choose a free set of covered button earrings (see below) these, depending upon availability could match your purchased clutch or they could be totally different. You can pick a color and print from what I have in stock or I can make them to your specifications. I wear covered button earring pretty much daily and they are great to dress up or down, sometimes I even wear them to the gym! Now, as awesome as the covered button earrings are... some of you might not be interested or it might not apply to you at all.

 

**If you have sensitive ears and require a certain post on your earrings please include this in your message to me, because I'm just using regular posts as of right now. However, I'd be happy to accomodate your needs.**

 

2. So for you all, I’m offering a checkbook cover for only $5 (they will retail for $12) in addition to your clutch purchase. I use one all of the time and it’s perfect for holding my checkbook and I have enough room to keep extra papers, stamps, and cash/id/cards if I need to. Now, with some clutches, the material might not be available to match exactly but a coordinating one might be possible. We can always do a custom one as well.

This is a perfect opportunity to purchase an organizer clutch if you’ve been wanting one but hesitant to purchase yet. Plus, you get the chance to try out one of two new products of mine. Both of which, I’m very excited to offer.

And, if you are a local shopper, I’d be happy to meet with you and save you shipping costs and meet you if I haven’t already!

 

To contact me you can convo me through my etsy shop, adholley, you can email me at adholleyhandbags@gmail.com, or you can post on adholley's Facebook page and also message me through the Facebook page.

Happy May and Shopping!

Amanda Holley, adholley